Entries open Sunday 12 April and must be submitted by midnight Sunday 30 August.

Entry Fees: 
Juniors Under 14 = $5.00
Juniors 14-18 Years = $10.00
Adults 18+ = $30.00

About this Prize


The Bridge Art Prize is back in 2026 following its successful inaugural appearance on the Tasmanian arts scene last year. 

Derwent Valley Arts (DVA) could not have dreamed of a better beginning to what is now forecast to grow into the Derwent Valley’s annual arts-focused celebration for many years to come. You can reflect on last year’s efforts here.

While the inaugural arts competition was about celebrating and commemorating the construction of the new Bridgewater Bridge, we now have an exciting chance to extend the prize beyond the original initiative. The second year of The Bridge competition is a chance to develop beyond the foundation that was aligned to the original construction and grow in a different direction. 

The Bridge Art Prize 2026 theme — Load Bearing

Load Bearing is the theme for this second year of The Bridge Art Prize – still with a construction thread woven into the theme, but this time with a more human perspective.

Every structure depends on elements that carry weight or “bear the load”.

In architecture, something that bears the load also holds, supports, and stabilises. It allows movement, connection, and life to unfold around it. Often unnoticed, these points of strength make everything else possible.

Load Bearing invites artists to consider the forces that shape our lives - pressure and balance, support and strain, resilience and care – and the systems, relationship, and environments that sustain us.

Across disciplines and media, works may reflect on what it means to carry, to be carried, or to hold space for others. From the intimate to the collective, the visible to the unseen, the exhibition looks to the structures that underpin human experience.

In focusing on what supports us, Load Bearing offers a timely meditation on strength, connection, and shared responsibility.

About you

Before continuing please note entry fee is by credit card payment only.
Your Date of Birth
Are you represented by a gallery in Tasmania, if so, which one?
Have you entered into this prize before?
How did you hear about this contest?

About your artwork

Please select the appropriate category for your artwork.

Damaging property is not allowed and if performed will be disqualified from this art prize.


The Bridge Art Prize 2026 Acquisitive Award Entry Fee $30 per Entry
 


2-Dimensional Arts 

This category includes photography, painting, drawing etc.

Entry Requirements Artwork must be presented on an easily moveable and hangable flat surface. This could be a piece of plywood, a metal sheet, cardboard, canvas, paper, stretched canvas etc. The size of the artwork must not exceed: height 160cm x 160cm width. Dimensions include frames. Must not exceed 15kg in weight, including frame.



3-Dimensional Arts

This category includes ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, textiles etc. 

Entry Requirements Entries in this category must not exceed: height 160 cm x width 160 x depth 160, or 75 kg in weight. These limits apply to the entire artwork, including any mounting or framing. If the work includes any electrical components, they must comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS3000:2018 for electrical installations (the Wiring Rules). In addition, a licensed electrician must complete the required testing and tagging before the work is submitted.


Multimedia Art

This category is more open and allows for a response in art forms combing digital elements like video, audio, animation and 3d modelling to create a single experience.

Entry Requirements

- Artwork must be no longer than 3-minutes in length.
- Entries that do not have English language audio must include subtitles.

 
Junior Arts (15-18 Years) Non-Acquisitive Entry Fee $10 per Entry

This category is open to all art categories, 2-Dimensional, 3-Dimensional, Multimedia. The entrant must comply with the entry requirements specific to their artwork as listed above in the Acquisitive Award.

To be eligible to enter this category you must not have turned 18 before submissions close on Sunday 30th August 2026


Junior Arts (14 Years and Under) Non-Acquisitive Entry Fee $5 per Entry

This category is open to all art categories, 2-Dimensional, 3-Dimensional, Multimedia 

Entry size for 2-Dimensional work: A3 size (29.7cmx42cm) excluding frame

Entry size for 3-Dimensional work: height 30cmx width 40cmx depth 4ocm weight 5k

Multimedia Arts as above.

To be eligible for this category you must not have turned 15 before submissions close on Sunday 30th August 2026

 

Please select the appropriate category for your artwork.
What's the title of your artwork?

Please write a short statement related to your entry here.

What are the actual dimensions of your artwork?
Please include, depth, width and height.

What is your artwork made from?
Please read and make sure to adhere to the following Terms and Conditions before submitting your application:

  1. Entrants must submit work in accordance with the conditions set out in the application form. If these conditions are not met the application will not be considered.

  2. Entrants may submit several artworks, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form, and the entrant must pay the entry fee for each submission.

  3. Entrants must be living in Tasmania and provide a current Tasmanian postal address.

  4. Entries representing partnerships between individuals will be accepted on the understanding that each partner’s contribution is deemed equal.

  5. When you submit your artwork and details to enter this prize, you, and all other entrants, accept the “The Bridge” Art Prize 2026 Terms and Conditions as set out here.

  6. The prize is open to all professional and non-professional artists regardless of age, background, ability, or experience.

  7. No part of the artwork can be borrowed or copied; entries must be the entrant’s original work.

  8. We recognise that children and people with disabilities may be entered on behalf of a parent or a guardian who accept these conditions on their behalf.

  9. The prize organiser reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the entry requirements, prior to shortlisting and judging.

  10. An entry shall impose an obligation upon the artist to submit the entered work for exhibition if selected.

  11. The artist must agree for their artwork to be reproduced for the purpose of promotion or education around the prize.

  12. Entry fees are Acquisitive Prize - $30, 15 – 18 Years - $10, 14 Years and Under - $5 for each individual entry.

  13. All entries chosen as finalists must agree to put their work up for sale, and at that time include the sale price they want on the item.

  14. All entrants must agree to the 30% DVA commission on sales if selected as a finalist. Selected artworks cannot be sold prior to the exhibition. Commission will be split 50% between DVA and representing galleries if applicable.

  15. Finalists must agree to have their entry held at the Ladies Cottage Willow Court or The Arthouse New Norfolk for the entire period of the exhibition.

  16. The artwork must have been created within the previous 12 months and must not have been exhibited elsewhere prior to this exhibition.

  17. All entries must be uploaded as JPEG, PNG, mov or mp4 files, and have a maximum file size of 5MB.

  18. The use of stock images or clipart is forbidden and will not be considered for judging.

  19. Artwork created by artificial intelligence using image-creation programs may not be entered.

  20. Entries containing discriminatory content will be disqualified.

  21. Whilst all care will be taken the gallery is not responsible for any damage incurred.

  22. The artwork submitted must not be altered once selected, other than framing or mounting, including plinths for 3-dimensional works. (Please note dimension must not exceed those stated in categories) 

  23. Entries selected as Finalists will be notified by email in the week commencing 14 September 2026 before being released on the Derwent Valley Arts website.

  24. Sitting Board Members of the Derwent Valley Arts, along with members of The Bridge Art Prize 2026 Sub Committee, are not permitted to enter work- however general members are encouraged to submit work. 
  25. The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence shall be entered into. 

  26. Entries close at 11:59pm on Sunday 30th August 2026

Please upload your images/files here. Maximum file of 8MB allowed.


Select your Entry Fee
Fees: 0 Total: $0 

Entry fee

By paying your entry fee for The Bridge Art Prize 2026, you agree to abide by the Terms & Conditions of the prize

Entry Fee (select 1 only) Quantity  
Junior - Under 14 ($5)
Junior (14 -18) ($10)
Adult ($30)

No fees selected


Derwent Valley Arts
9 Burnett St New Norfolk, TAS 7140